Litter Mates struggling to determine who is alpha dog

[Mandy]

Hi, we have two standard schnauzers, male and female from same litter. They are just over two years old and we have had them since 12 weeks old. We did basic obedience training with them with a drog trainer until they were a year old and then continued by ourselves at home (although perhaps not as often as we should)! In the class situation they were very good and obeyed most commands. We have always had "problems" with them when walking off-leash. When seeing other dogs both of them would charge up to the other dog (in quite an intimidating way) generally cornering the other dog. Occasionaly I was able to verbally control the male but this control did not last for long and once they decide they are going, nothing will stop them. I have tried walking them separately, which does help but is not always practical due to time constraints. I have read "The Secrets of Becoming Alpha Dog" and generally do put this in to practice but having two of them to try and assert my dominance over is not easy. I think some of the problem is that they have not yet sorted out between themselves who is the alpha dog. Both show signs of being the more dominant one in different situations. eg: the male always eats first (the female is not that bothered about food and will sometimes not even have her morning meal), also he usually adopts the higher position on the couch, although she occasionaly gets there first. She on the other hand, is the more natural leader when out walking on-leash and she is the one that generally gets an object if they are fighting over one. Can you help me to determine who is the alpha dog so that I can try and assert my dominance in the right order. Also, being litter mates will I always have the problem of ganging up (packing) on other dogs. If they meet a group of dogs (2 or more) the packing is not usually an issue as the male tends to back off and is hesitant. My head keeps telling me that as they are a very strong willed breed that keeping the two of them is not the best situation but my heart will not let me go down the path of re-homing one of them.
Any advice greatly appreciated. I am getting really stressed over this. I seem to get my confidence up when out with them and think that we're getting somewhere, but them something happens that puts me back down again.

[foxi7778]

Hi there, from personal experience with keeping two dogs (also a strong willed breed) it is more important for you to maintain alpha status over them both than to determine who is the alpha between them, as dogs usually sort this out between themselves, but by what you have posted I would say it's the female that sounds more dominant. Two or more dogs from the same household will act as a pack regardless of whether they are related or not....mine do and they aren't related. I would try walking them on a long line until you are sure their recall is 100%...that way they can have some freedom without you having to worry about them cornering other dogs. You can keep two strong willed dogs as long as they know that you are in charge and you are a firm, but fair, leader. Try to keep positive as your dogs will sense you are not confident in handling them otherwise, and will naturally take advantage of this. Best of luck

[Mandy]

Thank you Foxi. I have thought about a long line. I'll try this.